Activities
There’s so much to do in and around Sandspit Holiday Park, you’ll never
be bored! We’ve got great activities to keep the kids and adults alike
entertained.
Or if its relaxation you’re seeking, there are plenty of spaces around
the park just right for ‘getting away from it all’.
While you’re here, it’s a must that you check out all the fantastic local
attractions.
Once you get to know the area a little better, you’ll find yourself wanting
to come back time after time, because one trip will never be enough.
Camp Activities
One of the best things about Sandspit Holiday Park is the range and accessibility
of camp activities.
Keep the kids or yourself entertained kayaking around the bay in one of
our free kayaks; get competitive playing outdoor chess or on the 9-hole
‘chip n putt’ golf course; or just spend some time together strolling
the several bush walks close by.
If you’re here over the summer holiday season, we organize fun-filled
activity days for the kids with lolly scrambles every night and camp events
to get everyone involved.
Whether you’re a family of 10, or a couple escaping the city for the weekend,
there’s so much to see and do at Sandspit.
Golf
A 9-hole ‘chip and putt’ golf course is located at the back of the Holiday Park and is free for all those staying in camp to play on. A range of golf clubs can be found outside the main house in the campground, left handed clubs are available on request. Golf balls are available in the office for $1.
Water Activities
When the tide is in, you can use one of the free kayaks or paddle boats available on the foreshore to explore the bay. Life jackets must be worn at all times and are available in the gear hut beside the boats. To ensure everyone’s enjoyment, all equipment should be returned to the gear hut when you’ve finished.
Games
The centrally located Games Hall has a table tennis table, a soccer (foosball)
table and a coin-operated pool table for hours and hours of competitive
entertainment, also located at the back of the Games Hall is a springfree trampoline for children of all ages to enjoy.
Table tennis balls are available in the office for $1. Good table tennis
bats are reserved for the more careful adults and are provided at the
office. There’s also a life sized snakes and ladders game on the
concrete patio outside the games hall, complete with a large dice. A large
outdoor chess set can be found by the barbecue area and croquet and pétanque
sets can be collected from the office.
Camp Walks
Sandspit is not just full of fun activities, there’s also breath taking
scenery to marvel at on the several walks around the area. One of the
closest bush walks is found at the back of the grounds.
There’s a road that leads up a hill past the resident donkeys and sheep
(see ‘Animals’ below) and an olive grove up to a spectacular 200 year-old
Pohutukawa tree. Take the time to walk in under it, around its old gnarled
roots and appreciate the years this old native has seen. To make sure
it lives to see another 200 years, we do ask that you refrain from climbing
the tree.
From here, back track to the mown grassed area and follow the track through
untouched New Zealand bush, full of native birds and flora.
At several points you can stop to enjoy the natural views out across Kawau
Bay to Kawau Island and out beyond to the Pacific Ocean.
There are several lesser tracks which lead off up to Brick Bay but they
are steeper and best for the fit able walker.
Keeping to the main track, you’ll find it opens out to a lovely grassed
area that gently rolls down to the beach. There’s a great tree swing here
where you could spend time just looking out on this world class vista.
Finally, head back along the beach to return to the camp ground. Along
the way, check out the natural rock formations along the beach front which
look like pools of stone, and see some of the older permanent batches
perched along the water’s edge. If you don’t want to get wet, this walk
is best when the tide is out. print
this walk
For those who would rather stay on the flat, why not talk a stroll down
to the main wharf.
To do this, just walk out the camp entrance, cross the road then head
towards the boat club until you see the boardwalk, and follow it down
to the main wharf.
Or, if you’re feeling energetic, visit Snells Beach on foot follow the
coast line around and out of the bay at low tide. Make sure you leave
plenty of time though this walk takes about one hour each way.
Animals
A camp ground is not complete without a mascot! At Sandspit Holiday Park,
we’ve got more than that, with a resident family of donkeys and sheep,
grazing just behind the grounds.
You can visit the animals anytime, but please avoid feeding them they’ve
got special diets and we don’t want them to get fat!
Sandspit Holiday Park loves animals, however we don’t have room for family
pets sorry.
Library
For those of you who like to relax with a good book, a lending library is available for all campers, with books and puzzles for all ages and preferences.
Local Activities
The surrounding area, including Warkworth, Matakana, Leigh and several
idyllic east coast beach coves, boasts a range of local attractions and
activities.
Matakana is famous for its laid back vineyards and local produce, while
Warkworth has a range of restaurants and cafes when you need a break from
the beach side barbeques.
For the more adventurous, there’s the Goat Island Marine Reserve for up
close snorkeling experiences with Snapper, Kawhai, John Dory or Kingfish.
Goat Island’s fish are just for looking at, but if it gets your taste
buds fizzing, why not take a fishing charter from Sandspit Wharf out into
Kawau Bay and try your luck catching some for dinner.
And when all these activities have left you in need of some relaxation
time, there are plenty of beaches and coves where you can find a spot
of your own to just pass away the hours reading or snoozing. Bliss!
Kawau Island
Wonderful day trips to Kawau: Royal Mail Run Cruise Learn about the history and admire the beauty of Kawau Island, High Speed Discover Tours 2hour tour past Beehive Island to Moturekareka Is, Motutara Is, see the shipwrecked Rewa, old quarry, copper mines then on to Kawau. Enquire at office for more information. view website
Goat Island
An amazing Marine Reserve. Thousands of fish that eat out of your hand. You can hire flippers, snorkel and masks from Seafriend Marine centre. view website
Glass Bottom Boat (Goat Island)
If you don’t want to swim then experience Goat Island on a glass bottom
boat.
To book Ph (09) 422 6334. view
website
Sheep World
Unique hands on experience. Hand feed baby lambs (in season) and tame sheep. See how farmers control working dogs with whistle and voice and how dogs control sheep with eye and bark. Join in the drafting. Get a really close up view of sheep shearing. Eco-discovery trail, adventure terrain, pond encounter. view website
Waiwera Hot Pools
20 minutes south of Sandspit are the hot pools. A wonderful complex with different sized pools and water slides. view website
Artisans Trail and Wine Trail
Collect a pamphlet from the office and visit some of the vineyards and galleries.view website
Honey Centre
Visit the honey centre and watch live bees working. view website
Matakohe Kauri Museum
One of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions. Allow a couple of hours
as it’s not to be rushed.
view
website
Horse Riding
Mackenzie‘s - Warkworth Ph(09) 425 8517. Horse and pony rides for all ages. Suits beginners and experienced riders. view website
Warkworth Museum
Set in Peaceful surroundings the history of the area is displayed, the old Warkworth Gaol, a bushman’s hut and a tiny post office. Two magnificent Kauri trees can be found here. Largest collection of old clothes in N.Z. view website
Matakana Farmers Market & Matakana Country Park
Operating on Saturday Mornings. Country Park is a huge complex at Matakana with horses, llamas, children’s play area and exhibitions.view website
SnowPlanet
Based in Silverdale, 30 minutes south of Sandspit. Giant snowdome, three lifts, a terrain park, separate learners area, kids play sessions, gear hireage. Experience the thrill of real snow at any time of the year. view website
Brick Bay Sculpture Trail
Experience contemporary New Zealand Sculptures in a unique landscape of native bush overlooking the Brick Bay Vineyard. view website
